Any help available

[MoveOver]

Hi All,

Hopefully this is the correct section and someone may have some pointers.

The background: Unmarried couple. 1 Child. I'm working full time. Mother is full time parent at present. 1 income (i.e. mine)

Basically my question is, would she entitled to any SW payments or back to education allowance etc. She was a studying for degree but packed it in to take care of the lil fella full time. He is now a year old and she would like to look at going back into the education system which I fully support. Obviousily on my income alone we just cant afford that. We are running by the rule book so there is no single parent claims or anything involved.

It seems you get punished in this country for keeping a family unit together but not being married. If she was to walk out the door she would get a range of benefits. Single Parents, Rent allowance etc.

There has to be something available. Simply could not afford college fees of €4,000 (as she would be starting from scratch again) along with the added childcare that would be needed while she was in college.

Sorry if post is a little muddled. Just curious can we avail of anything at all that would help.

 

[lady]

Have you applied for FIS?

 

[MoveOver]

Have you applied for FIS?

Hi Lady -

I researched it alright. But as my income is in excess of €506 per week (not by much but never the less above) I figured we would not qualify.

By no means looking for easy hand outs. Given I have a job at all I count myself very lucky. But disposable income even on my salary after clearing all bills and rent is just not enough. My one and only gripe is that she is not entitled to anything that will help her fund a college application.